Leader: Joan Oppel

Mmbers: Suzanne Brown and Steve Palincsar

Route: Original - 39 -https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51011054 As ridden - 30 miles

Weather: Temperatures in high 60's, low 70's, dropping to mid 60's in the rain. Wind consistently 13 to 18 mph with gusts.

Notable events: SIX turtle rescues.

Report: A last minute ride posting Friday evening. Steve had posted a ride that no one signed up for due to predicted weather, he and I were on the phone for other reasons around dinner time Friday, we looked at the weather and the forecast had improved. So we decided to post a ride from North Keys.

Only one other member joined us: Suzanne, who lives 3 miles from the park. The weather was sunny but very breezy. The route took us to Magruders by way of Molly Berry and Baden Westwood. We did find some partial road blocks from downed trees and debris from the prior night's heavy thunderstorms. From Magruders we retraced to Baden Naylor and Brooks Church to Nottingham and Merkle.

While at the picnic tables at Merkle, the sky got very dark, with ominous clouds. Weather apps showed a thunderstorm heading diectly towards us. We retreated to the Merkle visitor center porch and assessed. Northwest wind blowing dark, heavy clouds toward our next destination:  Croom Airport and the Pavilion. Light rain drops coming down. Not a difficult decision to go in the opposite direction. As we were on Croom Road heading toward Candy Hill - loud thunder and lightning, then again on Candy Hill. Wind blowing hard, so still pushing the storm away from us - but then it poured at the back of the storm! We got soaked for 4 or 5 miles. 

And, of course, we had a good time!

Contemplating the weather app and the real life situation from the Merkle visitor center porch. Up and to the right of my head you can see the barn swallow who nests (year after year) under the porch roof on top of one of its support columns, we disturbed her peace.

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members:   Paul Adams, Fran Jezisek, Susan Altemus, Gene Villiva, Donaro Gardner, Esther Steward, Bob Rourke



Route:   Indian Head Rail Trail - Livingston Road parking lot east to White Plains trail head for a rest stop.  Retrace westerly back to ride start.

Weather:  Mostly sunny, temps starting in the low 70s rising to the mid 70s, marginal airs out of the western quadrant

AMS:   swept in the mid 11s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:  none

Report:  another reptilian kind of day with plenty of turtles, both alongside the trail on the western end and in the many ponds bordering the trail.  Snakes were also present including Eastern Rat snakes, green snakes, and a common water snake swimming in the Bumpy Oak "lake."  Turkeys, deer, and countless smaller birds were also enjoying the day.

Number of other trail users, mostly walkers/runners.  Just another pleasant day riding the IHRT.

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members:   Steve Palincsar, Tom Short, Joan Oppel, Patricia Sanders



Route:   A direct route to the Nanjemoy store via Chicamuxen and Riverside for a rest stop.  Return via Jacksontown, Poseytown, Bowie, and Mason Springs to a bio stop at Pisgah Park.  Final routing includes the Stuckeys to visit the wood sprite house, Pisgah Marbury, and Chicamuxen back to ride start.  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50931378 35.9 miles, 1,348' elevation change

Weather:   cloudy, temps in the mid 60s, negligible 5-6 mph breezes, moisture in the air for the last few miles on our return

AMS:   swept in the mid 11s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   none

Report:  weather conditions more like the middle of April then the end of May but nonetheless, an enjoyable ride.  We separated a bit outbound with Tom first to arrive at the Nanjemoy store.  After a rest stop, we basically rode together for the remainder of the route.  Except for the first part of Chicamuxen, traffic was light and on a number of roads, we did not encounter any other vehicles.

The highlight of the ride was going past the "wood sprite" house on Stuckey Road.  Imagination and talent produced a memorable scenic just across from the Belly Acres Farm house, as pictured below:

Knocked but no one was home.  Or maybe they're shy.

Leader: Walt Roscello

Members: Steve Palincsar, Catherine Ade, Pat Sanders, Joan Oppel

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38571587

Down through Loveville to Newtowne Neck state park, with return via Big Chestnut and Pin Cushion and past Chopticon High School

Weather: Pleasant and a bit cool - around 60 at the start to about 70 at the end.  Windy down by the river but not too much of a factor.  One of those days where you think you're hot when riding uphill with the wind, then find you're cool when stopped or riding into the wind.

Report: Everyone on the ride had been on the May Madness rides the day before, so we dropped the 'B' rating from the ride and took it easy - 52 miles is still a good accomplishment at any pace!  The ride also helped some riders tune up their nutrition needs when recovering to ride multiple days in a row.

We cruised down the trail, with more users than I think I've ever seen out there at once.  At Laurel Grove we had a few surprises: we rendezvoused with Steve who was shortening the ride (expected), but just as we arrived we spotted a unicyclist with a dog on a leash!  We all agreed that must be a well-trained dog.  The other surprise was not as welcome: Laurel Grove has had still-loose gravel laid on top, so we may want to detour around that portion for the rest of this season.  The shoulder of Rt. 235 is an option, or Morganza Turner Road.

After a pleasant (shady, almost traffic free) cruise down Maypole road, we got to enjoy a rest stop at the completely rebuilt Dash-in, then got our first water views on the loop down Bull Rd. to the Breton Bay golf course and development.  At Newtowne Neck itself there were wide views of the Potomac from the small beach, as well as of St. Clements island to the west.  Catherine wants to plan a ride to catch the ferry and walk around the island.

While at Newtowne Neck we engaged the rangers at length about the future reservation system required to access the park, and its application to cyclists.  It may initially be strictly required, but we pointed out would mean a cyclist stopping for a 15 minute restroom break would take a slot away from a family wanting to spend the whole day.  If you see an opportunity for public comment on these plans, please highlight the need for accommodation for cyclists (and the fact that in most cases, these parks have a parking capacity problem, not a visitor capacity problem).

Some of us took a look around the St. Francis Xavier church site (an original site of the Jesuit presence in Maryland) then we toured another waterfront community and headed up the road, enjoying Big Chestnut road after the brief initial climb, then heading back on more familiar (and busier) roads for the final 14 miles.

All had an enjoyable time, even if fatigued from Saturday's rides, and appreciated the good weather and camaraderie of the group.

It was a bit blustery, but the brilliant blue sky, stunning clouds, and scenic views made for a truly wonderful ride. 

RIDERS:  Linda Blackman, Marc Blackman, Lynda Honberg, Ron Honberg, Jessica Hirschhorn, Robin Garnett, Nancy Kay, Doug Kay, Harry Kidd (SWEEP) , Barbara Raimondo, Esther Steward, and Kathy King

The early corn, horses, weathered grey barns and long expanses of sun dappled rural roads were a bane to any woes! 

We stopped at The Farm Store, with its FIVE STAR PortABathrooms, CBD products, raw milk ("for cats and dogs") and truly yummy (and highly recommended) energy treats. 

Our lunch stop was at South County Cafe, where all of the groups met, socialized and enjoyed the outdoor picnic tables. 

One mechanical:  Lynda H had a rear flat about 5 miles from the end, expertly fixed by Tom Short (including a Master Class, thank you Tom!) 

There were some slow, long climbs and we all reached the parking lot happy and tired.  

 Thanks to everyone for coming out on this terrific day. 

Jessica Hirschhorn  

Riders at the start.  Clockwise from upper left, A/B58, B/CC49, B/CC 43, C/CC 30

Riders at the Farm Store (first stop)

2nd Rest Stop, South County Cafe

On the North Beach Pier

Ride Leaders: Catherine Ade, Pete Czapiewski, Jessica Hirschhorn, Steve Palincsar

Riders: Over 60 registered, and over 50 were checked in.  Attending were Catherine Ade, Linda Bankerd, Alex Batkhan, Robert Bernstein, Linda Blackman, Marc Blackman, Chantal Briere, Kathryn Burns, Barbara Butcher, Sherwood Byers, Sr., Cheryl Carter, Pat Colvin, Pete Czapiewski, Luis Dall'Orso, Harold Datz, Edward DeShields, Patricia Douville, Lisa Friedman, Donaro Gardner, Robin Garnett, Ellen Goodwin, Deborah Greenside, Sue D Gunter, Jenny Haddon, Rick Hagen, Diane Harris, Jessica Hirschhorn, Lynda Honberg, Ron Honberg, Doug Kay, Nancy Kay, Harry Kidd, Kathy King, Peter Klosky, Lois Lightfoot, Ray Luckenbach, Cindy Malvicini, Lawrence McCarthy, Lori Michaelson, Denny Miller, Karen Morgan, Stuart Morgan, Taylor Morgan, Michael    “Sue” Murray, Clare Neal, Cynthia Nuzzi, Joan Oppel, Stephen Palincsar, Lisa Petersen, Barbara Raimondo, Walt Roscello, Theresa Rowell, Patricia Sanders, Tom Short, Esther Steward, Christina Swartz, David Van Ameyden, Dan Wallach and Rita Zeidner.

Routes:

Climb of the Day: Franklin Gibson, southwest from Trott's Branch to Leitch Rd.  3,000' distance, 120' elevation gain, maximum grade (per my Garmin) of 11.2%  We don't go up Franklin Gibson very often in this direction, and there's a reason for that.  It certainly was memorable and scenic.

Weather: sunny, 60 at the start rising to 73 by late afternoon and windy: winds 12-17 mph with gusts up to 29 mph.

A late ride report, but better than none!

Meeting at the Park and Ride at Wayson's Corner for an all class ride was a big point of discussion for the board.  Although there is ample parking, there aren't any restrooms at the parking lot, and some of the port-a-johns nearby have a less-than-stellar reputation.  Nevertheless, I think this ride demonstrated that Wayson's is a feasible place to start a larger ride, opening up the places we can visit on the bikes. 

I believe we started out with eight or nine people on the 49 mile route (down from the 13 or so that had signed up).  A few miles in, one of the riders either went with a different, or decided to do their own ride (as is their prerogative from time to time).  Not knowing this, I turned around to try and find them in order to make sure they were okay.  After two miles, I came across another group who informed me they didn't pass anyone.  Swearing, I turned back around and met the rest of my group at the farm. 

At this point, we were down to six in our group.  We regrouped with several riders at both at South County Cafe and then Chesapeake Market.  Two people ordered food at Chesapeake Market, which took quite a long time.  Walt Roscello and I stayed to make sure they didn't get dropped as the rest of our group decided to make their way back to the start.  

At this point in the day, we were definitely starting to feel the wind and the hills (although I will gladly take them if it means we can visit the bay), so we were glad to be heading back to Wayson's.  Walt floated an additional few miles of riding for a change of pace, but the rest of us weren't having it.  We passed Pat Sanders, walking her bike along the shoulder of West Bay Front with a flat.  We offered to help, but she was confident she could take care of it at home, and Joan was already on her way back to pick her up.  

Overall, it was a great ride.  Windy, but good.  The AMS as per my watch was 14.4 for the 51 miles I ended up doing.  I think we learned two important things: 

(a) We can use Wayson's as a start to a multi-class ride

(b) Don't order food at Chesapeake Market.  (the pizza did look good, though)

Leader:   Ron Altemus

Members:  Esther Stewart, Susan Altemus, Leesha Saunders, Fran Jezisek, Robin Garnett, Paul Adams, Bob Rourke, Donaro Gardner, Gene Villiva



Route:  the Friday blue plate special - Indian Head Rail Trail east from Livingston Rd parking lot to White Plains trail head and return

Weather:  mostly sunny; temp range 64-68; brisk 12 mph NW airs

AMS:  swept in the low 12s

Mechanicals/Mishaps:   none

Report:  coolish morning for late May but the sun made it pleasant.  Nothing out of the ordinary - number of other users either bicycling or walking/running.  Wildlife included bald eagles, wild turkeys, turtles, and numerous other small birds.

Steve, I am trying to increase my cycling strength and endurance.  I did not look at our cycling calendar to see there was a scheduled ride but, instead, went to Pisgah Park as my starting point. I rode from there to Bicknell Rd, then on Chicamuxen (where Stuart Morgan passed me ), then onto Hawthorne Rd.  When I neared Ridley Rd I saw a group of cyclists turning on Hawthorne.  I managed to catch up and, to my surprise, it was you and your group.  I stayed on Hawthorne to La Plata and began my return route.  I rode 27 miles with a 14.9 average speed.  I believe my route was less hilly than yours.  It was a very good day for cycling.

Wood Sprite House on Stuckey Lane -- photo by Ron Altemus

Leader: Steve Palincsar

Members: Ron Altemus, Linda Bankerd, Chantal Briere, Sherwood Byers, Sarah Clement, Lou Dall'Orso, Donaro Gardner, Karen Morgan, Stuart Morgan, Sam Perry, Walt Roscello, Mary Scala, Bob Thompson, Patricia Walthers (and making cameo appearances, Tom Short and Alan Kurzweil)

Guests: none

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49862324  According to my Garmin, we did 32.6 miles and climbed 1233' with a maximum grade of 6.8% on Pisgah Marbury Rd.  I'd have sworn there were steeper grades than that on Glen Albin and Locust Grove -- but then, what does that Garmin know?  Riding on Hawthorne about to make the turn onto Rose Hill my GPS kept telling me to turn left onto Bumpy Oak, skipping most of the ride.

Weather: Sunny, in the low 60s at the start rising to the low 70s by mid-day, with a 14 mph breeze - pretty close to perfect.

AMS: 12.8 in the middle of the pack

Mechanicals/Mishaps: Stuart Morgan broke a shift cable around six miles into the ride.  He rode back to the car, drove to the Trek store in Waldorf and got the cable replaced, drove back to the ride start and started riding the route backwards until he rejoined us on Bumpy Oak towards the end of the ride.

Report: A fabulous day for a bike ride, and a wonderful group to do it with, too.  I had a grand time riding with a several riders I haven't seen in more than a year, catching up. 

At the break in La Plata, Walt showed us the location of a newly opened bake shop half a block from our usual Dash-In stop, and I was happy to see that right next door to it is a newly opened ice cream shop.  Those will certainly come in handy this summer!

Folks had such a good time being together they didn't want to leave the parking lot after the ride, staying for more than a half hour chatting with friends.